JAL to open upgraded lounges

23 April 2007

In July JAL will open two refurbished lounges at Narita International Terminal 2, the airline’s main international hub. The JAL First Class Lounge and Sakura Lounge located in the main building of the terminal, are both to be revamped, providing a more spacious, comfortable environment with improved services for passengers to enjoy whilst they wait to board their international flight. Conveniently located just through immigration, the two lounges are being redesigned to create a high quality space for the ultimate in relaxation, offering improved services and facilities to meet the needs of all travelers. Both lounges will feature a dining area in which JAL plans to offer passengers a new hot meal service that may include a variety of soups, Japanese curry and Japanese-style breakfast. The self-service bars will be replaced by ones staffed by bartenders serving a wide range of drinks including single-malt whiskeys, a wine selection, and draft beer. Prior to departure, customer will be able to freshen up in one of the new shower rooms, or enjoy free-of-charge a soothing massage offered by a resident professional masseuse. The latest massage chairs will also be available for passengers to use. This business environment of the two lounges will also be improved as both will be fitted with such standard conveniences as modular jacks for dial-up Internet access and electrical outlets for PC power, as well as high-speed wireless LAN connection for Internet access. Furthermore, the JAL Sakura Lounge will also feature a Kid’s Room for families traveling with children. For increased comfort, JAL will almost triple the combined space of the lounges to nearly 4,000m 2 with seating for almost 700 people. Lounge refurbishment represents one element of JAL’s overall planned improvement of customer services at Narita Terminal 2. JAL also plans to reduce customer waiting times at its check-in area at the terminal by increasing the number of check-in counters from 91 to about 140 later this year, and by increasing the number of Self Check-in Machines (SCM) from 23 to about 70 by spring 2008. With the introduction in spring 2008 of a new inline baggage screening system, passengers will no longer have to wait for their luggage to go through a security inspection prior to checking in and will be able proceed directly to the check in counter. New check-in counters for our First Class passengers will be set up in the center of the terminal, and the distance from the JAL Fast Security Lane to the lounge will be shortened. The company aims to reduce by approximately 50% the amount of time passengers take to check in during peak periods. JAL will also redesign the counter used for customers with special needs by incorporating the Universal Design concept, an approach to the design of products, services and environments to be usable by as many people as possible regardless of age, ability or situation. Signs at counters will be replaced easier to read upgraded equipment. ——-